Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

The system, method and apparatus involves the control of microbiological
contamination of commercial freeze dryers using advanced oxidation gases
produced by Photohydroionization (PHI) Cell technology. The PHI Cell
system produces hydro peroxides, super oxide ions, ozonide ions,
hydroxides and other oxidative gases. These compounds act as
anti-microbial agents and systematically inactivate bacteria, viruses,
yeast and mold in the air and on surfaces inside commercial freeze
dryers.

Claims:

1. A system for controlling microbial contamination, comprising:a
generally enclosed environment for the processing of food;a PHI Cell
located within the enclosed environment; andfood processing equipment
within the generally enclosed environment;wherein low levels of oxidative
gases are produced by the PHI Cell in proximity to the food processing
equipment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the oxidative gases include hydro
peroxides, super oxide ions, ozonide ions and hydroxides.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the generally enclosed environment
includes a Cleaned in Place (CIP) system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the PHI Cell is installed on the surface
of the food processing equipment.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the food processing equipment comprises
a commercial freeze dryer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the PHI Cell is installed within the
interior of the food processing equipment.

13. A method for controlling microbial contamination, comprising the steps
of:generally enclosing an environment;locating a PHI Cell within the
enclosed environment; andplacing food processing equipment within the
generally enclosed environment such that low levels of oxidative gases
generated by the PHI Cell are produced in proximity to the food
processing equipment.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the PHI Cell is located on the surface
of the food processing equipment.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application relates to the same subject matter as co-pending
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/145,835, filed by the same
applicant on Jan. 20, 2009, and co-pending provisional patent application
Ser. No. 61/145,822, filed by the same applicant on Jan. 20, 2009. This
application claims the Jan. 20, 2009 filing date as to the common subject
matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of Invention

[0003]The present invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for
the control of microbiological contamination. It applies particularly to
control in commercial freeze dryers, and will be described with
particular reference thereto.

[0004]2. Background of Invention

[0005]The current systems, methods and equipment for cleaning and
sanitizing commercial freeze dryers, especially those used in the
processing of food for humans and animals, involve the application of
detergents and liquid sanitizers. This application may be done on a daily
basis or less frequently.

[0006]These traditional methods and equipment do not involve the use of
plasma, gas or vapor based anti-microbial compounds. When foam detergents
and/or liquid sanitizers are used, some areas in an environment or on a
surface of a particular piece of equipment may not be treated during the
cleaning or sanitation process. The failure may be a function of ability
of the product used to cover the entire surface. Also, the application is
often performed by people, and human errors may be made in the
application of the detergents and sanitizers. If the environment around,
on or within a piece of equipment becomes contaminated during operations
and is not properly treated afterwards, microorganisms may colonize
inside the equipment and act as a vector of contamination during the
freeze drying process. In some cases wherein cleaning and sanitizing
occurs infrequently, the potential for recontamination or increased
contamination may exist for long periods of time.

[0007]The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus using
Photohydroionization®, or PHI® technology. PHI is an advanced
oxidation technology developed and owned by RGF Environmental Group, Inc.
It is a broad spectrum high intensity UV light targeted on a catalyst
ultraviolet (UV) target in a low-level ozone and moist atmosphere. This
creates an advanced oxidation process providing friendly oxidizers, or
very safe and aggressive oxidizers that revert back to oxygen and
hydrogen. PHI® technology has been successfully used in water, air,
food, laundry and grease applications.

[0008]A PHI Cell® is a product of advanced oxidation technology
developed by RGF Environmental Group, Inc. A PHI Cell comprises an
assembly including a high-intensity broad spectrum UV bulb or tube
(approximately 100-300 nm) in a hydrated catalytic matrix cell. Low-level
ozone is produced in the cell, the majority of which is converted into
airborne hydro peroxides, super oxide ions, ozonide ions and hydroxides.
The UV bulb or tube is encased by a protector such as a protective tube
to help prevent any glass or mercury breakage/leakage. Also, the entire
assembly may itself be encased in a protective cell.

[0009]PHI Cell technology is used in the present invention for enhanced
control of microbiological contamination in food processing equipment
such as commercial freeze dryers.

[0010]Where the system of the invention is mounted external to the unit,
the equipment may be cleaned and sanitized either through traditional
means or by using a Clean-in-Place (CIP) system. The PHI technology may
act as an adjunct to routine cleaning and sanitation. The combination of
proper cleaning and sanitation and intermittent and/or continuous
treatment with the PHI technology will substantially reduce the risk of
recontamination during the freeze drying process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011]In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system, method and
apparatus for the control of microbiological contamination is described
herein. It applies particularly to control in commercial freeze dryers.

[0012]The system and method involve the decontamination of commercial
freeze dryers using advanced oxidation gases produced by PHI technology.
The PHI technology system produces into the external environment hydro
peroxides, super oxide ions, ozonide ions, hydroxides and other oxidative
gases. These compounds act as anti-microbial agents and systematically
inactivate bacteria, viruses, yeast and mold in the air and on surfaces
inside commercial freeze dryers.

[0013]The system, method and apparatus described above eliminate or reduce
biological hazards, including microbiological pathogens such as those
found in human and animal food processing equipment such as commercial
freeze dryers. This helps prevent potential recontamination of food
products, vitamins and pharmaceuticals during processes such as the
freeze drying process.

[0014]This system, method and apparatus allow for the introduction of
anti-microbial compounds in gas or vapor form which address all internal
surfaces and air space inside commercial freeze dryers. For example,
freeze dryers are inherently difficult to clean and sanitize and as a
result, pose a risk for environmental contamination of food, vitamins and
pharmaceuticals during the freeze drying process. The oxidative gases
also help prevent the colonization of microorganisms inside equipment.

[0015]The system, method and apparatus may be applied intermittently
during cleaning and sanitation done at regular or irregular intervals or
continuously during operation of the freeze dryer.

[0016]The system, method and apparatus involves the installation of a PHI
Cell on commercial freeze dryers. The installation may be external or
internal. Still further advantages of the present invention will become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and
understanding the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]The invention may take form in various components and arrangements
of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The
drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and
are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

[0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the system of the
invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the system of
the invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the system of
the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021]With reference to FIG. 1, the system of the invention is disclosed
as element 10. A generally enclosed environment 12 is provided for the
processing of food for humans and/or animals. In the environment 12 is
provided an oxidative gas generator 14 such as a PHI Cell and food
processing equipment such as a commercial freeze dryer 16. The oxidative
gas generator 14 is installed in the environment 12 so that hydro
peroxides, super oxide ions, ozonide ions, hydroxides and other oxidative
gases are produced in proximity to the equipment. Equivalent generators
of hydro peroxides, super oxide ions, ozonide ions, hydroxides and other
oxidative gases as known in the art are also contemplated by this
invention. The system, method and apparatus of the instant invention also
contemplates the installation of an oxidative gas generator 14 on the
surface of the equipment, as shown in FIG. 2 for a commercial freeze
dryer 16.

[0022]With reference to FIG. 3, the system of the invention is again shown
as element 10. A generally enclosed environment 12 is provided for the
processing of food. In this embodiment, an oxidative gas generator 14 is
installed within the equipment. FIG. 2 shows the oxidative gas generator
14 located within the freeze drying area of a commercial freeze dryer 16.

[0023]It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the
present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and
described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the
contrary, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are not to
scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of
the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention.